Mel Kiper 2012 NFL Mock Draft: 5 Biggest Surprises in Kiper's Mock 2.0

Last week, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper, Jr. came out with his second mock draft of the 2012 NFL draft season. Long known for being among the top draft analysts around, Kiper broke down all 32 picks of the first round for our viewing enjoyment. If you have ESPN Insider, you can check out Kiper's mock here.

To help break down Kiper's mock draft 2.0, let's have a look at five of his more surprising picks.

LB Luke Kuechly to Kansas City Chiefs

What Kiper said:

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In Romeo Crennel's system, you have to find linebackers with great instincts who can be physical in the run game, make stops through the hole and get into the backfield. Kuechly is simply a machine, a prototype for what you want in an interior linebacker. He has exceptional instincts, and masks any questions of his speed by diagnosing the play faster than anybody out there. Can play a little high, but that's just quibbling, as he takes few false steps. I can see the Chiefs looking for a nose tackle, but this slot might be a little high for great value there.

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Why it's surprising: 

Teaming Kuechly and Derrick Johnson in the middle makes a certain amount of sense, but the Chiefs' play at inside linebacker was far from a problem in 2011. Jovan Belcher was effective against the run, and Johnson had an All-Pro-caliber season. Upgrading the offensive line, especially at right tackle, might make more sense in a first-round pick for Kansas City.

S Mark Barron to Dallas Cowboys

What Kiper said:

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Dallas got shredded far too often with the passing game in 2011, and while Barron might be a very slight reach here in terms of his current grade, he's a perfect fit for the Cowboys. I have "defensive back" on my sheet as a big need in Big D, meaning they can't go wrong with either the top safety or the top cornerback here, and Barron offers the most value. Better in run support right now than he is in coverage, Barron could get better against the pass, but he's an upgrade for the Cowboys.

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Why it's surprising:

There's no doubting that the Cowboys need to make some changes in the secondary. But reaching here for Barron, who is rehabbing back from an injury, might not be the best pick at No. 14, especially with a number of top cornerbacks still on the board. 

DT Fletcher Cox to Philadelphia Eagles 

What Kiper said:

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No team was softer up the middle than Philly in 2011, and while linebacker is a bigger need, it wouldn't be a very good value here if the board lines up like this. In Cox, you get a player who should be great in the 3-4, a powerful bull-rusher who can collapse the pocket, but also a guy who does a good job against the run and plays with a really high motor. I have wide receiver as another potential need, but the Philly defense needs to be a bigger priority in the draft. The Eagles can target a linebacker in the next round.

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Why it's surprising:

If there's one position that the Eagles should be confident in heading into the 2012 season, it's defensive line. And while the Giants showed that you can never have too many talented pass-rushers, the Eagles desperately need to improve the second level of their defense. Taking Cox would be a luxury pick, and I'm not sure the Eagles can afford to pull the trigger on such a move with next season being so important for the future of the franchise. 

S Harrison Smith to Green Bay Packers

What Kiper said:

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The Packers are another team that should be looking for the best value possible at either safety or cornerback, and Smith provides value here. What I like about Smith is his ability to do it all. He's not the world's greatest athlete, but any scout will tell you: At this position, you take the instincts over the athlete 100 out of 100 times. Smith gets great jumps in coverage and will get in passing lanes, but he's also outstanding in run support. You don't lose ground in one area when he's out there.

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Why it's surprising:

Safety only becomes a major need if Nick Collins can't return from a neck injury. We won't know his status until sometime in March. But even if he is done playing football, taking Smith in the first round doesn't add up. The value isn't there, and adding a pass-rusher at outside linebacker or on the defensive line should be the Packers' top priority. Safety can be addressed later when a reach isn't needed. 

DT Kendall Reyes to New England Patriots

What Kiper said:

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We've seen the value of Vince Wilfork, and while Reyes isn't the size of a city block, he certainly has some of the traits of a guy who can help a defense similarly. When he gets good leverage (which he usually does), Reyes is really strong and will get offensive linemen up off their feet as he pushes them into the backfield. He's not going to shed blocks as a brilliant pass-rusher would, but Reyes can develop into the guy who makes everybody else a better pass-rusher because he demands so much blocking help.

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Why it's surprising:

Picking Reyes isn't the surprise here. But when you consider the Patriots used their other first-round pick on Marshall OLB Vinny Curry, you realize that New England neglected to take someone in the secondary early on. Given their draft history, you'd have to think that the Patriots will again try to find an answer at either cornerback or safety.